Anna Hunt, Staff Writer
Waking Times
Waking Times
A study out of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in
California has demonstrated that the psychoactive compound in
cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), removes clumps of proteins from
nerve cells which are believed to kick-start Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists continue to struggle when it comes to preventing and
treating Alzheimer’s. The illness affects about 50 million people
worldwide. It is believed to result from a build-up of two types of
substances in the brain’s nerve tissue. The first are amyloid beta
proteins that clump together between the neurons. The second are
neurofibrillary tangles that form inside the neurons due to defective
tau proteins that have clumped together.
The recent medical study now offers hope for a possible treatment of
Alzheimer’s patients. It reveals that THC aides in the removal of
amyloid beta proteins that have accumulated between the neurons.
“Although other studies have offered evidence that cannabinoids might be neuroprotective against the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, we believe our study is the first to demonstrate that cannabinoids affect both inflammation and amyloid beta accumulation in nerve cells.” ~ David Schubert, study researcher from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California
Numerous studies have identified
cannabis as a very beneficial plant with potential medicinal properties.
Research has shown that cannabis components, such as THC, could be used
to treat symptoms of chronic pain, epilepsy, HIV, chemotherapy, and other ailments. The list now includes Alzheimer’s.
Back in 2006, researchers at the Scripps Research Institute found that THC inhibits the formation of amyloid plaques by blocking the enzyme in the brain that produces them, and now Schubert and his team have demonstrated that it can also eliminate a dangerous inflammatory response from the nerve cells, ensuring their survival.
Currently there are no drugs that inhibit cell death associated with
neurodegenerative diseases. Because of this, researchers have been
looking to develop techniques to remove neurotoxic amyloid plaque, which
is a common symptom of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and
Huntington’s. Another research effort
out of Australia has come up with an approach that uses “a particular
type of ultrasound called a focused therapeutic ultrasound, which
non-invasively beams sound waves into the brain tissue.”
Schubert and his colleagues conducted their study of THC and its
effects on the human brain by using lab-grown human neurons that mimic
the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. The next step for Schubert and his
team is organizing a clinical trial to confirm that a link exists
between THC and reduction of inflammation and plaque build-up in the
brain.
About the Author
Anna Hunt is co-owner of OffgridOutpost.com, an online store offering GMO-free healthy storable food and emergency kits. She is also the staff writer for WakingTimes.com. Anna
is a certified Hatha yoga instructor and founder of Atenas Yoga Center.
She enjoys raising her children and being a voice for optimal human
health and wellness. Visit her essential oils store here. Visit Offgrid Outpost on Facebook.
This article (Study Reveals Cannabis May Offer a Breakthrough Treatment for Alzheimer’s) was originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Anna Hunt and WakingTimes.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this copyright statement.
Disclaimer: This article is not
intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views
expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of WakingTimes or its
staff.
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